08-02-2014, 04:00 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Anxious Messiah
Folks are not taking into account the growth that Puna is experiencing, and will continue to experience in the future. This is where everyone is coming to - from mainland transplants to those who are fed up with Oahu. Unless the flow is enough to make folks pause (doubtful), here is the new future of large population growth in Hawai'i.
This growth of Puna is largely an urban myth propped up by the growth from the Hawaii island census from 2000 to 2010. Growth has been very slow since then and looks like the population may start shrinking soon.
Myth: Hawaii county and Puna area are fastest growing in the state.
Fact: Kauai led population growth in Hawaii the past year
http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/...ng-to.html
Kauai led Hawaii in population growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Mar 27, 2014
Myth: Hawaii county growth is increasing.
Fact: Hawaii county growth rate is slowing very rapidly.
http://bigislandnow.com/2013/03/14/censu...nts-daily/
Census: Big Island Getting Five New Residents Daily
1% per year
5 new residents per day
The article says 5 new residents per day but other data show about 3 residents leaving for every 5 that arrive. Also, new resident doesn't mean somebody buying a house. There are people getting off the plane and going around town cold-calling for a job, they stay about a month, enough to establish residency, then go back to the mainland.
Census numbers for Hawaii County:
2000 - 148,677
2010 - 185,079
2012 - 189,191
2013 - 190,821
The last number is an estimate from the census bureau.
http://dilemma-x.net/2014/04/15/u-s-cens...tan-areas/
U.S. Census Bureau releases 2013 population estimates for counties and metropolitan areas–Release Date: March 27, 2014
The numbers are going to start to shrink with all the hospital layoffs. Hawaii county is ending up with one specialist doctor in several areas, many with zero requiring a trip to Honolulu. The doctors and nurses that stay will tend to move to Oahu, if they want to stay in Hawaii. As medical services shrink and decrease, many elderly will have to go back to the mainland. This is happening a lot now.
To keep talking about Puna growth is to wallow in nostalgia. North Puna will keep growing but south of the East Rift Zone is going to be very low growth, if at all.
"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*